The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi (MFR), has reaffirmed his commitment to responsible digital transformation and innovation-driven governance, urging a balance between technology and human-centred leadership in the evolving digital economy.
Adeniyi made this known on Wednesday at the 4th Biennial International Conference of the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, University of Ilorin, organised in collaboration with the Faculty of Philology, RUDN University, Russia.
The conference, themed “Disruptive Technology: Human and Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Economy,” brought together academics, policymakers, researchers, communication experts, and representatives of government agencies to examine the impact of artificial intelligence and digital innovation on governance, trade, education, and economic development.
Delivering the keynote address, the Customs chief stressed that the success of the digital economy depends not only on technological advancement but also on ethics, leadership, and institutional responsibility.
He noted that disruptive technologies have already reshaped global systems through e-commerce, digital payments, and artificial intelligence, adding that societies are now operating within disruption rather than preparing for it.
According to him, public institutions must ensure that innovation strengthens transparency, efficiency, and public trust, rather than undermining accountability structures.
Drawing from the experience of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adeniyi highlighted ongoing reforms, particularly the deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System, which he said has improved trade facilitation, cargo processing, and inter-agency coordination.
He disclosed that the platform generated over N230 billion at the PTML Command within its first eight months, while reducing cargo clearance time for compliant traders to under eight hours.
“The partnership, not rivalry, between human and artificial intelligence is where the real value lies,” he said, stressing that technology is most effective when guided by strong institutional purpose and ethics.
Adeniyi further emphasized that while artificial intelligence enhances efficiency and decision-making, human expertise and leadership remain central to governance and enforcement outcomes.
He also called for stronger collaboration between universities, research institutions, and government agencies, urging academic institutions to move beyond theory and become active contributors to innovation and policy development.
On the sidelines of the conference, he engaged stakeholders including scholars, agency heads, and traditional leaders on opportunities for collaboration in digital research, innovation, and capacity building.